Miners talk secession, recalling the heady times of 1933

By Peter Ker, Perth

30 June 2011 — 12:00am

IF THEY were watching on from above, the voters of 1933 would have liked what they saw on the banks of Perth's Swan River yesterday.

Nearly 80 years after a majority of West Australians voted in favour of seceding from the rest of the nation, mining entrepreneur Andrew Forrest threw some petrol on a flame that has never fully extinguished in the west.

Upstaged: Andrew Forrest.Credit:Andrew Meares

As he addressed more than 500 small and mid-tier mining types, Mr Forrest began his speech with an anecdote from his recent audience with Treasurer Wayne Swan over that pesky mining tax.

''In the myopic unreality of Wayne's world, the Treasurer suggested to me that Western Australia - if didn't like this tax - should secede,'' he said.

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Mr Forrest paused for effect, but the silence did not last.

A single set of clapping hands quickly became hundreds, as an enthusiastic round of applause spread through the auditorium, wafting as only rebel spirit can.

Though he had intended to denigrate the Treasurer, Mr Forrest had somehow put the audience in furious agreement with Mr Swan. Mr Forrest - a product of one of WA's most influential and political founding families - would later clarify his commitment to a strong and united Australia.

But the genie was out of the bottle; when it came time for questions from the floor, the following solution to the mining tax impasse was offered.

''My suggestion is simple: let WA secede. It will solve this problem and it will also solve the problems which will come in the future,'' said an unidentified participant from the floor.

The financial compensation that WA has enjoyed under the federal system for the vast majority of its history was overlooked.

Such a comment might be dismissed as silliness in most parts of the nation, but in Perth, such musings draw serious responses from federal parliamentarians.

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''I'm not in favour of secession,'' said Liberal senator Mathias Cormann earnestly.

For the record, the 1933 vote produced 68 per cent support for secession. The same vote also dismissed the government - which took the impetus from secession. The only areas against breaking away were mining areas.